Unfortunately, there is no way to completely prevent you from getting thyroid disease. You can, however, practice some mindful steps to help reduce your risk of being diagnosed with the disease, manage it, or stop its progression.
Based on a study done by the American Thyroid Association or ATA, more than 12 percent of people in the US will develop a thyroid health condition in their life. That’s about 20 million Americans with thyroid disease, but sadly, about 60 percent won’t be aware of it.
Since many are susceptible to undiagnosed thyroid disorders, you can increase your risk of developing other medical conditions. For this reason, it’s best to speak to your direct care provider, learn more about your family’s history of thyroid disease, and pay close attention to the symptoms you may have.
If you’re wondering what you could do to lower your risk of getting thyroid disease, keep reading. This article will share some ways you can help reduce your chances of getting thyroid disease. Before jumping into this, it’s best to speak to your healthcare provider if these options are safe for you to do.
Tip #1: Ask for a Thyroid Collar for X-Rays
Before getting an X-ray, especially if X-rays involve your spine, neck, head, or chest, or dental X-rays, ask your technician to place a thyroid collar on your neck. This collar will protect your thyroid gland from radiation exposure, especially since it’s one of the most vulnerable parts of your head and neck. That exposure can lead to thyroid cancer.
Tip #2: Quit Smoking
There’s no doubt that cigarette smoking is truly dangerous for your help. This is because cigarette smoke carries a mountain of toxins that could affect your thyroid. In particular, thiocyanate can disrupt your iodine intake and block the production of your body’s thyroid hormones. With that said, smoking can easily cause elevated thyroxine levels and a slight decrease in thyroid-stimulating hormone levels.
Tip #3: Reduce Your Soy Intake
Soy is quite a controversial ingredient, especially when it can affect your thyroid health. Although it won’t affect your thyroid, you must take soy in moderation.
If you have thyroid disease, you should religiously take your hormone replacement on an empty stomach and have your meal 30 to 60 minutes after taking your medication. The reason behind this is that soy and other minerals can interfere with the absorption of the medication.
Tip #4: Check-In With Your Direct Care Provider Regularly
If you must see your healthcare provider regularly for checkups. That means not only for your overall body health but also to conduct tests to check your thyroid health. If you’re at more risk of developing thyroid health, it’s best to have your healthcare provider test your thyroid hormone levels yearly and every three months if your medication requires adjustment. This way, you can mitigate risks in their early stages.
The Bottom Line: There are Things You Can Follow to Reduce Your Risk of Getting Thyroid Disease
Thyroid disease can be complicated, and you must have regular checkups with your direct care provider to ensure that your thyroid’s health is not out of the ordinary. By doing so, you’ll reduce your risks and ensure that you get proper treatment right away to manage your symptoms.
How Can We Help You?
If you’re looking for a direct care provider south of Atlanta, you’ve come to the right place.
HealthSprings Direct is a direct primary care practice in Tyrone, GA. We offer high-quality, convenient, and technologically advanced healthcare services, ensuring each patient gets a personalized and unique treatment that’s best for their needs.
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